First developed in the early 20th century, shortwave radios started their journey as something like of an experiment but ended up by changing the mode of wireless communication. Their usage grew up at an incredible rate, accounting for over 50% of long-distance communications by 1928.
Cellphones and the Internet have largely reduced their popularity these days but the technology is still an essential part of various international broadcast organizations and among the outdoor enthusiasts and survivalist community.
What Is a Shortwave Radio?
It is a receiving device that can receive radio transmission using shortwave frequencies between 1.6 and 30 MHz. The number indicates its ability to propagate over long distances.
High-frequency radio waves travel in straight lines and don’t work beyond the visual horizon of approximately 40 miles. However, the low frequencies can propagate over a large area, sometimes an entire continent or beyond.
Shortwave radios can pick up the frequencies within a particular range. Nevertheless, some models have a broader range and can receive regular AM/FM channels and other common bands.
Types of Shortwave Radios
A few varieties of these machines are available in the market. Check out a run-through of the each kind:
Portable Radios
This one is the perfect choice if your budget is tight or if you are looking for a radio that is easy-to-carry. It’s highly compact to slip into your backpack, glove compartment, bug-out bag, or even in the pocket of your jacket! They are mostly solar- or battery-powered, making them useful for emergencies.
They lack in features than their expensive counterparts. Their frequency range is limited and can’t pick up single-sideband signals.However, some fully-featured models are slightly pricier but have all the features necessary to get on the air straight out of the box.
Desktop Radios
Advanced listeners and amateur radio operators use these full-featured devices. They have a better audio quality than the compact portable models and can receive a broad range of frequencies beyond the shortwave bands. Nevertheless, they are less portable as you have to plug them into an electrical outlet.
All-In-One Radios
They can pick up both shortwave frequencies and AM/FM bands, making them ideal to be the entertainment hub in your household. They are also well-equipped to handle emergency situations. Most full-featured portable and desktop models fall into this category.
Software-Defined Radios (SDRs)
There’s no match to these devices if you are looking to have the maximum performance from a shortwave radio unit. You will need a computer to operate them,but they have scores of functionality that are simply incredible. They can receive and transmit various types of waveforms, making them highly useful in cell phone and military services where the changing of a wide variety of radio protocols are required in real time.
Tabletop Radios
The advent of SDRs causes a decline in their popularity, but many people still love them for their simple interface and clear display. Combine them with a resonant external antenna to have their best performance.
The Uses of Shortwave Radios
Why would someone want to have a shortwave radio? Well, these units have an array of uses in the modern world. Let’s take a look:
Domestic and International Broadcasting
Many religious, political, and alternative media along with commercial and non-commercial networks broadcast programs in shortwave bands. You can use your shortwave radio to listen to these domestic programs in addition to international broadcasting. Most countries operate shortwave channels to broadcast news, music, and even blatant propaganda. Your radio is a medium to gain perspective of various cultures from around the world.
Emergencies
Shortwave radio technology is an excellent medium to transmit communications and receive long-distance signals. It could be your savior during a disaster such as a mass power failure or a nuclear electromagnetic pulse attack. It will let you get news and information from halfway around the world and communicate with other users and emergency services.
Long-Distance Communication
Services that require something beyond the range of traditional VHF frequencies use the shortwave band for long-distance communication. Organic air traffic control and other utility stations use the signals for transmitting weather reporting, encrypted diplomatic messages, and more.
Pastime
Many amateur radio operators use the shortwave radio technology as a hobby. The term ‘DXing’ refers to the monitoring of distant stations. People use it to communicate with other operators, host their own shows, or for recreational purposes.
Entertainment
Shortwave radios are just pure fun. They open a whole new world of new politics, music, ideas, and more from the distant corners of the world.
Features of the Best Shortwave Radios
All the shortwave radios have more or less the same features. However, the basic qualities that every unit should have are:
Technical Specifications
The frequency coverage is the most important thing because a wider coverage will let the radio to pick up more stations. The standard coverage should be between 1.6 and 30 MHz. However, choosing a model that can receive frequencies lower than 1.6 MHz will give your freedom to access more low-frequency bands.
The single sideband receiver is another must-have feature for the radio enthusiasts. It will allow you to listen to everything from weather bulletins to military transmissions and amateur radio programs.
Most radios have a digital display for the frequency readout, which is convenient for fine tuning to the exact station you have been looking for. On the other hand, an analog display does not indicate the precise frequency the device is receiving, making it difficult to find a specific station.
Reception & Sound Quality
A unit with a good signal strength will provide clear and high-quality sound. It is also called ‘sensitivity’ that defines how well a radio can receive transmission despite weaker signals. A good-quality device will be more sensitive to the broadcast power of radio stations.
Additional Features
The basic shortwave radio units tune to only AM mode stations. However, the fully-featured ones come with multiple modes, expanding your listening options.
The advanced units offer more flexibility with bandwidth selectivity. The pricier ones offer as many as five choices, which you can use to adjust the audio quality of your selected channel and reduce interference from adjacent stations.
Most of the units have a built-in antenna but some come with an extra jack to plug into an external antenna, which facilitates better reception of signals.
As you have already learned the ABC of shortwave radios, their types, uses, and essential characteristics, it’s time to know about the best models on the market. Let’s check our short reviews on ten of the best Shortwave Radios.
TOP 10 BEST SHORTWAVE RADIOS IN 2019 – COMPLETE CHART
Picture | Name | Material/Features | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture | Name | Material/Features | Price | Rating |
 | 1. Sangean ATS-909X | FM reception is excellent | $$$ | 4.0 |
 | 2. Tecsun PL880 | Excellent ergonomics | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | 3. C Crane CC Skywave | Battery life lasts for 60-70 hours | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 4. Eton GrundigSatellit 750 | External antenna jacks | $$$ | 3.7 |
 | 5. Tecsun PL-600 | No hissing sound at low volume setting | $$ | 4.0 |
 | 6. Kaito Voyager Pro KA600 | Packed with features for emergencies | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 7. TECSUN PL-380 | Sound better through headphones | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 8. SONY ICF-SW11 | AM and FM receptions are good | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 9. Kaito KA500 | 6-way powering options | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 10. TIVDIO V-116 | Size is convenient for traveling | $$ | 4.4 |
1. Sangean ATS-909X
The ATS-909X is the successor of the original ATS-909 from Sangean. The muddy sound on AM and SW in the previous model is improved in the new one. It also comes with a phenomenal FM tuner but the reception of the AM and SW with the built-in antenna is still not up-to-the-mark.
Nonetheless, the new model is a high-quality radio. It is a visual pleaser with a compact, modern design and seems to be well-built with high standards.
Technical Specifications
The ATS-909X is a complete package with its ability to receive from 153 kHz on the longwave band to 108 MHz on the FM band while covering the shortwave, medium wave, and AM frequencies.
There’s a bandwidth switch for further enhancing the shortwave performance and you can utilize the five tuning options for attuning to the stations in different ways. It provides good single side band performance. The SSB tuning to 40 Hz steps is decent but inadequate for serious SSB listeners.
The LCD is large and bright with white LED backlight. It shows the frequencies, clock, alarms, and the battery status, but no wide or narrow filter modes. The screen offers great visibility in any situation.
Reception & Sound Quality
Compared to the previous model, the ATS-909X offers excellent AM and SW reception with less noise and more clarity because of a narrow wide filter. People who like to explore and listen to weak, noisy signals will definitely like this improvement.
The FM reception is remarkable with a bright sound, which is likely to be as good as the audio quality can get in a portable unit. The built-in 3-inch speaker loud enough for the size. There’s also a headphone jack so you can listen to in a crowded place without disturbing others. The best thing is probably the sliding tone control that greatly enhances your listening experience.
The ATS-909X has a new option called Squelch. It minimizes background static noise so you can listen to weaker and distant frequencies clearer than ever!
Additional Features
The ATS-909X lets you store 406 preset stations so you can access them any time without the hassle of tuning. The Auto Tuning System searches and automatically adds all the available channels to the memory bank.
The radio also works as a clock and has stored the times of 42 cities of different countries. It has an alarm system that has three types of alarm tunes.
The unit runs on both AC adapter and AA batteries. It will also charge rechargeable cells when connected to an external power outlet.
Pros
- AM and SW bands provide clear sound
- FM reception is excellent
- Runs on batteries too
Cons
- The AM and SW reception could be better
- Expensive
2. Tecsun PL880
The Tecsun PL880 is an upgraded version of the brand’s highly popular PL660. Although the new model costs almost double than the previous one, it is a powerful device with incredible reception capabilities. It should be the top in your list if you are a professional DXer who are looking for a full-featured portable radio.
Technical Specifications
The PL880 catches frequencies on four bands – FM, AM, SW, and LW. The shortwave ranges from 1711 to 29999 KHz, the longwave from 100 to 519 KHz, the FM between 64 and 108 MHz, and the AM between 520 and 1710 KHz.
It features a broadband filtering array including three options in SSB and four in AM. It operates at a low frequency (at 2.3 KHz) and only slightly affect the audio quality to ensure the readability.
The unit has a large screen that shows frequencies, time, band name, and battery status. It has backlight that can be turned off when you don’t need it.
Reception & Sound Quality
The PL880 has an impressive sound quality for the size. It provides a satisfying sonic experience across all the bands. There’s a switch for controlling the EQ emphasis and it is calibrated to the right area for MW/SW audio and FM stations.
The unit provides excellent AM performance with a high level of sensitivity to weak signals. You will not also hear the background hisses or the digital noises that plague so many older and new models.
The SW reception is PL880’s strong suit that can be enhanced with the supplied wire antenna but it excels all of its competitions with the FM performance. You can spot many distant FM channels and can separate the frequencies that are very close to each other. The telescopic whip antenna is very powerful and sensitive that can catch even the weakest signals. However, don’t extend it when tuning to the local stations because it will override them.
The SSB tuning is remarkably easier than other portable units, thanks to PL880’s coarse and fine-tuning knobs. The Sync Mode sounds symmetrical with both sidebands but the quality of the recovered audio is quite poor.
Additional Features
The PL880 has the capacity of storing 3050 stations and you can access them by pressing a single button. The telescopic antenna has amazing sensitivity that can pull in loads of signals. It features a Soft Muting option that keeps the device quieter when tuning between the signals. However, unlike other models, the PL880 lets you disable it.
The device runs on a rechargeable battery and the smart charge will notify you when the charging is complete.
Pros
- Excellent ergonomics
- Many filter options
- Sturdy carrying case
- Single supplied rechargeable battery
Cons
- Sync detector delivers mediocre performance
- Expensive
3. C Crane CC Skywave
DXers who are on the hunt of an excellent travel radio should give the CC Skywave from C. Crane a go. It is a beautiful small radio with an intuitive layout and a number of features. Its design and building quality is excellent but it excels in audio and reception for a radio that is priced below $100.
Technical Specifications
The Skywave features five bandwidths on shortwave, medium wave, and air bands. Its shortwave frequencies range between 2.3 and 26.1 MHz and it also has excellent AM and FM reception. What’s impressive is the inclusion of weather and airband so you can be updated on the local weather advisories and nearby air traffic controllers.
The orange backlit LCD is small but the readings are clear and you can see it from various angles. It shows either the frequency or the time, and you can set either of it as the default.
Reception & Sound Quality
The Skywave speaker is small and the sound quality is not excellent, but it’s expected because it’s just a pocket radio. The bass is literally absent but it has two settings – music and voice – which you can exploit to remove noise on weak signals and make voice more audible.
The headphone output will compensate for your disappointment with the speaker. It sounds nearly hi-fi, offering you an excellent time on your commute or traveling.
The AM performance of the Skywave is decent but it does an excellent job in picking up most of the FM stations. The tiny whip antenna will surprise you with its ability to catch even the weaker FM signals.
On the SW band, the Skywavehas excellent sensitivity and selectivity for a radio of its size. The lack of SSB feature is an inconvenience but you won’t really miss it because of loads of other features.
It has a weather band that works fine and allows you to listen to all the NOAA weather updates. The Air band is excellent for listening to the conversations between air traffic controllers, pilots, and ground crews in your nearby area.
Additional Features
The radios doubles its function as a timer and an alarm clock. You can set a radio station or buzzer tone as your alarm ring.
It comes with earbud style headphones that look stylish and provide excellent performance when you want to shut out from the rest of the world.
The unit runs on two AA batteries or an AC adapter. You can also use rechargeable batteries too, which will be internally charged when plugged into a power source.
Pros
- Keypad controls are highly responsive to the touch
- The tuning knob does not produce any hash sound
- Battery life lasts for 60-70 hours
Cons
- The whip antenna is only 16 inches
- The weather band picks up only a few channels
4. Eton GrundigSatellit 750
The Eton GrundigSatellit 750 is a nice shortwave radio for those who like to experiment with some advanced features but don’t want to sacrifice the convenience of portability. It is a bit expensive, but it seems well-compensating because of its scores of features, classic looks, and outstanding performance. It’s an ideal choice for intermediate and professional users.
Technical Specifications
The GrundigSatellit 750 receives a broad range of frequencies including shortwave (between 1711 and 30000 KHz), longwave (between 117 and 137 MHz), AM, FM, and aircraft bands. It gives you a wide array of options in radio listening. Whether you have a taste for breaking new from around the world, FM music channels, AM talkshows, programs broadcast by armature users, or DXing, you can get access to everything through this single device.
The yellow backlit LCD is bright and large enough to provide clear readings. It shows the frequency, clock, and alarm time. You can dim the display to ensure there’s no disturbance during the sleep time.
The radio also received single sideband (SSB), which is a band of choice for ham operators.
Reception & Sound Quality
The reception of the GrundigSatellit 750 is excellent. The tuning is smooth, and there’s only a little drifting once a station is tuned. The built-in antenna is active enough to receive weak signals. Plus, its 360-degree rotating feature makes it easier to adjust the angle and catch the distant frequencies.
Eton has designed this unit with premium sound quality in mind. For this reason, it has allocated a large compartment for the speaker and the amplifier, so there’s plenty of room for reverb. The speaker provides clear and crisp sound with customizing options for bass and treble. However, the bass control seems to affect the volume level, which is a bit odd.
Additional Features
The GrundigSatellit 750has external antenna jacks for both AM/FM, which improves reception and allows you to access to a wider range of frequencies. Nonetheless, an average user won’t need it because the built-in one is more than sufficient.
You can save 1000 preset stations including 500 customizable and 100 for each of the five bands. So, you can save your favorite channels and access them with a press of a button.
It has a dual alarm clock function so you can set the alarm at two different times.
Pros
- Beautiful classic design
- Excellent sound quality
- Receives a wide range of frequencies
- External antenna jacks
Cons
- The bass control interferes with the volume level
- Expensive
5. Tecsun PL-600
Tecsun is one of the brands that are famous for manufacturing radios. The PL-600 is one of their mid-range products that is budget-friendly and has enough features to keep experienced listeners happy.
Technical Specifications
The area where the PL-600 stands out even from many pricier models is the full HF coverage that ranges from 1720 kHz to 29.999 MHz. It also covers Am/FM bands, longwave from 100 kHz to 519 kHz, and the extended medium wave from 520 to 1710 kHz.It has single sideband (SSB) reception, which is excellent for picking up the broadcasting from ham operators.
It comes with an orange backlit LCD that shows frequency, reception strength, clock, and battery level. The digital screen makes it easier to tune up to a particular channel.
Reception & Sound Quality
The audio quality of the PL-600 is full and rich, especially on the FM band when playing in stereo through the stereo headphone and on the AM band. The receiver is sensitive and can pick up weaker signals, thanks to the built-in ferrite loopstick bar antenna. You can also use the long-wire antenna that ships with the radio.
It offers a couple of tuning options. The ‘Auto Search’ is particularly useful in finding FM and AM channels. Its SSB reception is impressive too. Select either the upper or lower mode and use the fine tuning knob to get the best sound quality at your selected frequency.
The audio does not fill a room, but the quality is not bad if you consider the size and price.
Additional Features
It runs on four AAA batteries which can be either ordinary or rechargeable models. It has a built-in automatic battery charger. So, when the battery is low, you just have to plug it into an electrical outlet.
It has four tuning options – direct, manual, scan, and preset tuning. You can directly tune to your favorite stations or browse for finding all the listenable receptions. It can store up to 600 radio stations, and the ‘preset tuning’ option allows you to play them all with the push of a button.
You can also use it as an alarm clock as it has the dual alarm option and the sleep timer feature that can be extended from one to 120 minutes.
Pros
- No hissing sound at low volume setting
- Sensitive FM receiver
- Reasonable price
Cons
- The batteries don’t charge when you turn the radio on
- You have to be swift with your keystrokes when entering a frequency or the initial entry will be canceled
- The bass tunes consume too much battery power
6. Kaito Voyager Pro KA600
The Voyager Pro KA600 from Kaito is the big brother of the KA500 Voyager. The new model comes with a bundle of features including hand crank dynamo, solar panel, reading light, flashlight, a wideband radio receiver, and more, making it an essential for the survival situations. The portable unit won’t break your bank as it is priced under $100.
Technical Specifications
The device comes with four bandwidth options – AM, FM, shortwave, and NOAA. The shortwave coverage is between 2300 and 23000 KHz, longwave is 150 and 521 KHz, FM is 88 and 108 MHz, and AM is 520 and 1710 KHz. There are seven NOAA weather band channels for you to access through this device.
It has a large digital display that shows the frequencies, time, date, alarm, and the volume status. A small round screen beside it shows the temperature and humidity.
Reception & Sound Quality
The Voyager Pro KA600 is a decent receiver in the shortwave bands and performs slightly better on AM and FM radio stations. There’s a fully telescopic antenna that enhances the reception quality. You can also go for the direct access to any frequency with a manual entry keypad.
It picks up the FM bands really well which is further boosted by the radio data system (RDS). However, the built-in speaker is small, so don’t expect anything ambitious such as high-quality audio or loud sound. Nevertheless, the stations sound better in the headphones that come with the unit.
Additional Features
The Voyager Pro KA600 has lots of extra features because it is mainly designed for using in outdoors and emergencies not for entertainment purposes.
It comes with five different options for powering up, so you never have to worry about being disconnected. The attached fold-up solar panel will charge the battery pack though it will take more time than the hand crank dynamo. You can also power it up through an AC adapter, AA batteries, and an USB port.
It has three types of lights to keep you safe when you are in camping or during a power outage. It also has a humidity meter and digital thermometer, making it a perfect tool for emergencies.
Setting the radio at the Alert mode will automatically activate it and give you warnings if there’s an environmental, natural, or public safety issue in or nearby your area.
Pros
- Packed with features for emergencies
- Lots of powering options
- The FM reception is excellent
Cons
- The battery life is poor
- Heavier than other crank radio models
7. TECSUN PL-380
The PL-380 from Tecsun is an excellent choice for the DXers who are looking for a pocket-sized radio on a budget. It has some advanced features that will certainly entertain the amateurs and professional radio enthusiasts. With good audio quality, generous frequency coverage, and different tuning modes, it is a decent unit that you will not regret after buying.
Technical Specifications
The PL-380 cover frequencies across five bands – AM, FM, SW, MW, and LW. The shortwave frequency coverage is from 23000 KHz to 21950, so you can expect it to catch even the distant stations.
The LCD screen with a yellow backlight is large enough for easy reading. You can turn it on and off depending on what time of the day it is. It will show the tuned frequency, clock, alarm time, received signal strength, and temperature. You can choose one to be continually displayed.
Reception & Sound Quality
The built-in mono speaker of the PL-380 is small, and it provides decent audio, but it will sound much better if you use the headphones. It will not fill up a room or a garden table even at the full volume, but the headphones will give you the best service for private listening.
The FM and AM receptions on this device are very good and the programs sound better through the stereo headphones. The shortwave is a hit or miss, and you can expect good reception during the evening and night, and with an external antenna attached.
It comes with a short ferrite bar antenna for the enhancement of LW and MW reception, and the telescopic whip antenna works better for improving the FM and SW band frequencies.
The PL-380 has five digitally-filtered selectivity options that seem quite impressive for a little radio like this. The feature works fine as it will provide an excellent recovery of weakly received signals even if the filter bandwidth is set at 1 KHz.
Additional Features
The presetting is easy, and the device can memorize 550 stations for you. Besides, it just requires the press of a button to check all the available channels through the Easy Tuning Mode (ETM).
The unit gets charged up from three AA batteries that can be either regular or rechargeable cells. You can use a mini USB charger as an external power source or charge the batteries.
It also works as a clock, and you can set a two-way alarm and a sleep timer that automatically shuts it down after a specific period.
Pros
- Lots of features considering the size and price
- Sound better through headphones
- Inexpensive
Cons
- The small speaker produce average-quality sound
- The built-in antenna is not that much powerful
8. SONY ICF-SW11
Sony is an international brand that is well-known for manufacturing high-quality and innovative electronics. The Sony ICF-SW11 is a shortwave radio that may not be the best in the market but a quality product nonetheless. At less than $100, you will get a good-looking portable device with a couple of useful features.
Technical Specifications
The ICF-SW11 covers four different bands at various frequencies. The frequency coverage for shortwave is from 4.75 to 21.25 MHz, longwave from 141 to 290 KHz, AM (MW) is from 525 to 1620 KHz, and FM is from 87.50 to 108 MHz.
It does not have any digital tuner or display. You have to turn a knob to find your favorite stations, and an analog screen will help you to tune into the right frequencies. There’s no backlight on display, so it will be a problem to tune up in the dark.
Reception & Sound Quality
The radio has a small speaker, but the sound is good considering the size. Both the FM and AM receptions are excellent and don’t drift, which is pretty amazing considering that it’s an analog tuning radio. It will easily pick up the local FM stations and catch all the AM stations that are within a 20-mile radius. However, the distant channels might lack clarity.
The shortwave reception is decent, and it is able to pick a number of stations nearby your area. You can further enhance the capability with an external antenna. The built-in antenna is good too, especially for the AM and FM frequencies. The device is fine but unable to cater to the demand of serious shortwave listeners.
Additional Features
The ICF-SW11 is a basic unit that is suitable for only those who have just started DXing. So, it does not have most of the features that you can expect from other models at the same price range. It does not have any preset system, SSB, alarm, and clock functions. However, it comes with two antennas that improve the FM and AM receptions.
Its battery life is highly impressive. Put two AA batteries, and the radio will go almost forever! It will last for 30 hours but can stay alive longer depending on how loud you play the speaker.
Pros
- AM and FM receptions are good
- Battery lasts for a long time
- Comes with two antennas
Cons
- Lacks features considering the price
- No alarm or clock function
- Manual display
- Manual tuning
9. Kaito KA500
Kaito Electronics manufacture shortwave radios that are equipped with features to tackle emergency situations. The Kaito KA500 shortwave radio is the perfect receiver for backpackers and adventurers as the solar-power unit will keep you informed whether it’s a hurricane, power failure, or other disasters.
Technical Specifications
The unit receives signals across four bands – AM, FM, shortwave, and all the seven NOAA channels. The SW1 ranges from 3.20 to 9.00KHz and the SW1 from 9.00 to 22.00KHz. So, it gives you enough options to be updated about what’s going on around you.
The AM and FM ranges are 520-1717 KHz and 88.00-108.00 MHz, which will give you access to lots of channels nearby your location.
The KA500 does not have any digital tuning and display. You have to set the frequencies manually on an analog display.
The overall quality of the unit is rugged. It is made of premium ABS material that resists water and impact. So, you can use in both indoors and outdoors.
Reception & Sound Quality
The small speaker of KA500 will surprise you with its sound quality and clarity. Even at 25% volume level, it will deliver clearly audible music, news, and other programs. However, the experience will be better if you listen through the earphones. It will improve the quality and even add some bass tones.
The AM and FM receptions of the unit are average, but the shortwave sensitivity is surprising for a self-powered analog radio. The selectivity option also nicely works as the adjacent signals will hardly interfere with the frequency you tuned at.
Additional Features
It is one of the best survival radios in the market. One of the most impressive features of this unit is its 6-way powering systems, making it a great addition to your disaster preparation kit.
The radio can draw the power from a hand-crank dynamo generator, solar panel, three AA batteries, rechargeable battery back, AC/DC adapter, and a 5V mini USB. You will never be disconnected no matter how bad the situation is.
It has three lighting systems that come in handy in various situations. The built-in five LED reading lamp is great for emergency use while the white LED flashlight is perfect for sending SOS. There’s a red LED too that blinks to alert during emergencies.
The NOAA Weather Radio Alert is another lifesaver that will send warning signs when there’s weather or safety hazard in your surrounding areas.
Pros
- Lots of features for emergency situations
- 6-way powering options
- Give alerts during hazardous conditions
Cons
- The hand crank mechanism is not high-quality
- The tuning knob gets stuck sometimes
- No digital display
10. TIVDIO V-116
If you are beginner DXer and want to start your shortwave listening journey with something that won’t break the bank, the TIVDIO V-116 is a perfect choice. You can use it as a music player or an alarm clock and carry the pocket-size device around for its rechargeable battery option.
Technical Specifications
The V-116 covers three bands – AM, FM, and SW – around various frequencies. The coverage range for shortwave is between 3.2 and 21.85 MHz. The tuning knob only does manual station search that becomes easier with the digital display.
To the disappointment of ham radio enthusiasts, it does not have SSB. It also does not cover the LW band.
The LCD screen shows your tuned frequency, the name of the band, and the battery status. It does not display the alarm time.It has a green backlight for easy operation in the dark.
Reception & Sound Quality
The tiny speaker is not hi-fi but perfectly fulfills the expectation from a less than $50 model. The AUX port lets you connect to an external device and use the speaker to listen to music from that source.
The reception of all the bands is better in outdoors than inside a home or building. It receives AM and FM signals quite well but does not do well if you are close to the transmitters. The strong nearby frequencies interfere too much because of the absence of High Pass and Low Pass filters.
The shortwave reception performs average if there are too many FM stations in your area. It will pick up the essential SW channels but can’t avoid interference with live FM broadcasts.
Additional Features
It has a slot for a 16 GB micro SD card. You can play music files in various formats and read eBooks from that external storage. However, the screen won’t show any information of the music file except for the track number that requires you to navigate through the card every time you want to select a file.
For the eBook reading, the screen does not show more than four lines of a page. However, you can go forward or back and even set it to scroll the lines at a certain pace automatically.
There’s a USB cable for charging the radio. Nevertheless, plugging it into a PC or laptop will automatically turn the unit as the speaker of that device.
Pros
- Size is convenient for traveling
- Good FM reception
- Rechargeable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- SW reception is average
- Active FM frequencies interfere much with other bands
- No automatic tuning